2 better than 1???

**phucahwa** · August 18, 2007, 08:00 PM

2 EVGA GeForce 8600GTS SLI (512MB each) vs. 1 EVGA GeForce 8800GTX 768MB

Which is better? I currently have 2 8600GTS SLI and thinking what if i return them and exchange for the 8800GTX instead....would it give a boost in frame rates?

What you guys think?

**Reidy** · August 18, 2007, 08:06 PM

The 8800gtx every time. Two of those would be even better.

What what ive heard the 8800 series are far more powerful than any of the other 8000s, the 8800gtx being the best of the best. Of course the only drawback is the extra cost.

**Shaun** · August 19, 2007, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by Reidy

the 8800gtx being the best of the best.

No, that would be the 8800 Ultra.

**Arakorn** · August 19, 2007, 05:47 AM

But I wouldn't buy a new one ATM if you have two of the other ones. You can upgrade when your old ones start to lag on whatever settings you want to play with.

**Reidy** · August 19, 2007, 08:32 AM

Yeah but thats basically an overclocked (and horrendously overpriced) gtx.

There's no point recommending it unless you have the silly money to throw around, and i doubt he does if he only has two 8600s at the moment.

See here: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2979&p=10

The NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Ultra is an utter waste of money.

**phucahwa** · August 19, 2007, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Reidy

Yeah but thats basically an overclocked (and horrendously overpriced) gtx.

There's no point recommending it unless you have the silly money to throw around, and i doubt he does if he only has two 8600s at the moment.

See here: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2979&p=10

True true....i guess i will return those 2 8600GTS to Newegg and get the 8800GTX instead...

**Shaun** · August 20, 2007, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Reidy

Yeah but thats basically an overclocked (and horrendously overpriced) gtx.

There's no point recommending it unless you have the silly money to throw around, and i doubt he does if he only has two 8600s at the moment.

See here: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2979&p=10

I'm not saying that the 8800Ultra is value for money or should definitely be purchased. All I am saying is that it's the best performing 8800 card.

**Reidy** · August 19, 2007, 12:21 PM

If you can go for a preoverclocked version of the gtx, which only cost a bit more. I'd go for this one which as the article I linked above has similar performance to the ultra version.

**Arakorn** · August 20, 2007, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by Reidy

If you can go for a preoverclocked version of the gtx, which only cost a bit more. I'd go for this one which as the article I linked above has similar performance to the ultra version.

Hmm, I picked up a pre-overclocked MSI GF 8800GTX for ~565€. D'you think that is good? The only reason I bought it really was cuz my initial GPU was delayed by 2 ****ing weeks. And this got HDCP, in case I'd ever use it.

**Roman Clone** · August 19, 2007, 07:44 PM

You will Actually Have Less Performance with 2 cards, Due to the Constant Switching Info from card to card.

**phucahwa** · August 20, 2007, 06:15 AM

Really? I always thought that SLI would help the frame rate greatly.

**Vanquisher** · August 20, 2007, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Roman Clone

You will Actually Have Less Performance with 2 cards, Due to the Constant Switching Info from card to card.

Anyway, 2x8600gt's come nowhere near an 88-- card as far as i know but if you are looking for a desperate improvement in frames I would either:

i. Buy one more 8600 (which is a lot less than an 88--) and will tie you over, or...
ii. Sell the 8600 and buy a 88--, then you can get another 88-- in the future if you need.

I would be looking at 2

EDIT: Just noticed you already have SLI lol, so if you are willing 8800GTX all the way

**Professor420** · August 20, 2007, 10:30 AM

phuc: There's no reason to SLi right from the getgo. Buy the best card you can afford, then when you want to upgrade, decide whether it would be better to get another same card model and SLi, or whether you should upgrade to an entirely new card. Buying two 8600's (or two any cards, unless you are a disgusting person and buy two 8800 ultras) from the start is a waste.

**phucahwa** · August 20, 2007, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by Professor420

phuc: There's no reason to SLi right from the getgo. Buy the best card you can afford, then when you want to upgrade, decide whether it would be better to get another same card model and SLi, or whether you should upgrade to an entirely new card. Buying two 8600's (or two any cards, unless you are a disgusting person and buy two 8800 ultras) from the start is a waste.

HOw did you know my name was Phuc!? Anyway, i will definately get the 8800GTX.

8600GTS SLI arent that bad though....with 4 gig DDR800 RAM and 3.0ghz core 2 duo, M2T run smoothly with huge unit and max setting....just couldnt handle oblivion....shame!!!!

One more question regarding video card overclocking. When i use a program to overclock my video card and save the setting for of the new clock speed, does the system remember it? or do i have to load up the program everytime i restart the computer and want the video card to run faster?

**spartan_phalanx** · August 22, 2007, 09:07 AM

That depends on the program used. Generally you can have it load at startup or even better is setting up profiles for specific applications. What program are you using?